Menu

Tag Archives: stranger

If I had known this week would end up the way it did, I would have hand cuffed myself to my chair at home. Then none of the circumstances could have happened that cost me my best friend. Curiosity got the best of me. I must get her back.

I like to walk along the Sappa Creek, a beautiful creek that meanders through the south side of Obeyville, Kansas. Though these days not a whole lot of water fills the creek banks. It gets less and less every year. We need a few good steady rain seasons. Our farm fields need moisture. In this farm community, if they don’t have a good crop season than they don’t buy art, knick knacks, and books in my family store.

The winter brought little snow fall as well. It was like having Spring and now Spring is Summer. I believe Mother Nature is confused.

The kids don’t know what it is like to have a foot of snow. They think an inch is exiting. I haven’t had to buy snow boots in the last two years. I can’t say I miss the blistering cold temperatures but a good snowfall would be great. I miss sledding.

My friends and I would slide down the steep creek bank which zoomed us across the frozen water to the other side. We would giggle all the way and hope the ice wouldn’t break. It wasn’t but a foot deep but it would freeze one’s buns.

I like to explore; it makes me feel like I am ten again with no concerns. I suppose you would think a twenty-five-year-old woman would rather be chasing men and hanging out in bars, not me. I would rather be outdoors and learning. I’m like a sponge, soak in every bit of information I can. I have an entire room in my house devoted to books. I call it the Library Cave, some people have Man Caves, and I have a Library Cave.

Yes, I am a nerd. A reborn nerd. I did my share of partying and being on the wild side in my High School days. I want to be a nerd now, much more relaxing and better for your health.

My work day is spent inside catering to customers at least five days a week, sometimes more. My parents own the store but I manage it so they can live their golden years fishing or whatever they want. I’m a good child like that. Nah, I just didn’t want to go to college, yet. I know someday I will just have no desire right now.

I love my customers, but occasionally I get that one bad apple to ruin my day. I then head to the creek, stand in the middle of the thick lush trees, and yell at the top of my lungs to get my frustration out. The fresh air and exercise are an added blessing. A wonderful stress reliever. I sometimes bring a book with me and sit in one of the many trees along the creek and get lost in the story. I imagine I am the main character and it becomes one adventure after another. If only life was that way.

Today I walked to the edge of the bridge and made a sharp right turn where a well-traveled grassy path led into the dense trees. It’s a wonder that I like to come down here because I am extremely afraid of snakes. Luckily, I have not come across one, alive or dead. As I walked along the path I had to keep shoving the branches out of the way. They are getting overgrown, mental note to trim them back next time. Don’t want my path blocked.

A shiver ran down my spine from the chill of the shade trees. I wish I had brought a jacket. When I stepped out my front door after work, the sun was warm on my face. It didn’t occur to me that the thick of the trees would be a different story.

(credit to Bing.com images)

The branches snapped loudly under my tennis shoes. The previous adventure the sticks kept poking in through the sandal holes. Glad I didn’t wear those again.

On the right side of the path is the old crooked tree that we would play truth, dare, or double dare when we were in grade school, it was coined the Love Tree, hence all the initials carved in it. I touched the initials that I carved into the tree of my first crush. Ah, the memories.

At the base of the tree a bunch of sting weed surrounds it. A person gets their skin next to that and it is like itchy non-stop for a few days. I laid in some without thinking once, never again. Itched in places no person should have to scratch.

A twig snapped behind me. I twirled around.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

No answer, and I couldn’t see a thing. Instant panic. I could run down the path I was going down, but then I will go deeper into the woods and may not find a way out. Whoever it is, came down the path I had. I looked around for a big tree branch to defend myself. Crap, all baby twigs.

Another twig snapped.

I could see a shadow of one person. He was tall, masculine built, wearing a hat and far enough away I couldn’t make out the face. He slowed his pace down. I moved behind the tree. I hope he didn’t see me or is far enough behind me that he may not even know that I am here.

(credit to Bing.com images)

Duh, I spoke, so he must know the general direction. Idiot I am, number one rule don’t ask the hunter if they are there. Looking behind me I saw a fallen tree along the ground. I will crawl across. It leads to the other side of the creek. Then work my way around him and get back to the path and run like crazy back to my house. My house is only a block away, an easy run. I can get help then.

I ran for the log. Oh, please let me get out of here. I didn’t hear him moving anymore. The log was big enough for both feet side by side. Thank goodness it is only a foot above the water or I would say heck with it and take my chances with the mystery man. Objects in the air with narrow walking space is so not my thing.

I wobbled a bit making my heart race. I kept thinking about him being right behind me and grabbing me. I got to the end, stepped off the log and turned around to see if I could see him. If I can’t see him then maybe he can’t see me. The early spring leaves on the trees created a maze of hiding places. I couldn’t see anything and could only hear the breeze on the tree tops. I ran along the creek a good few minutes and then jumped across a narrow passage of water to get back to my side of the creek. I didn’t bother to look back. I had one goal in mind and that was to get back to the path. I ran through the tall weeds praying for no snakes. I heard feet hitting the ground behind me. My heart pounding and my mind telling me to run faster. I felt a hand grab my arm, I swung around, losing my footing and falling to the ground. My head smacked the ground with a thump, and then the world went dark.